‘Merlin’ turns up at Stonehenge for the summer solstice | News UK

Thousands have gathered to celebrate the summer solstice as the UK braces for a heatwave that could see record-breaking temperatures.

This morning, a crowd of more than 20,000 people flocked to Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire to see the sun rise at 4.25 am on the longest day of the year, according to English Heritage.

Visitors, some wearing flower head-dresses, touched the ancient monument and cheered as the glowing sun peeked over the misty horizon.

One of the visitors was the ‘real Merlin’, dressed in a full wizard outfit – and his father joined as well.

The father of Merlin said: ‘This is the son of Merlin. It’s his birthday today, but this is why we’ve come to celebrate.

‘It’s my son’s birthday, son of Merlin, and it’s the solstice. Yes, that’s a really magical time for me as a father. And the sun. And that son, so I’ve got two sons, really. This one, this one.

‘And it’s powerful stuff. We come here, and we pick up vibrations from the cosmos. I’ve been 40 times here. In the rain, in the fog, you know, no sunrise, but the vibrations are still here. The stones themselves have been concreted, which stops a lot of energy coming up. But it’s still there, it’s still powerful on the ley lines.’

The solstice comes just days before the Met Office said the heat is expected to peak at about 35C on Tuesday and Wednesday, sparking weather warnings, health alerts and concerns for vulnerable people.

Forecasters have said there is ‘growing confidence’ this week could break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, which was set in 1976 in Southampton.

In France, highs of 40C are expected on Sunday, with Monday likely to be even hotter as emergency services and military forces have been put on wildfire alert.

Public alcohol consumption restrictions have also been put in place by French authorities and some outdoor sporting events cancelled.

Today, highs of 31C are forecast in London along with 27C in Cardiff and 21C in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Monday will be a ‘cloudier day overall’, with temperatures expected to reach up to 32C with humidity forecast to rise throughout the week, he said.

An amber extreme heat warning has been issued by the weather service for Monday and Tuesday for most of southern England, south-eastern and eastern Wales, and much of the Midlands.

The alert flags potential health impacts for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, as well as a potential increase in water safety incidents.

People in the alert area are advised to drink plenty of fluids and to keep out of the sun, and avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm, the Met Office said.

The heat comes after at least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.

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